Linamar Corporation has sealed an agreement to acquire Bourgault Industries Ltd., an agriculture equipment manufacturer based in St. Brieux, Saskatchewan.
The $640 million transaction is a strategic move aimed at bolstering Linamar’s Industrial segment’s offerings and strengthening its position as a leading shortline agriculture equipment manufacturer.
Bourgault Industries, recognized globally as a market and technology leader in broad-acre seeding, will become a part of Linamar’s new Agriculture division within the broader Industrial Segment. Linamar’s existing agricultural brands, MacDon specializing in harvesting and Salford focusing on tillage and crop nutrition, will now be complemented by Bourgault’s expertise.
The acquisition positions Linamar as a comprehensive player in the crop production cycle, from field preparation and seeding to crop nutrition, harvest, and post-harvest activities. The new Linamar Agriculture division will operate independently, managing the shortline brands of MacDon, Salford, and Bourgault.
The deal includes purchasing 100% of Bourgault’s equity interest, encompassing its Highline Manufacturing division, known for hay handling and livestock feeding equipment, and roto-moulding producer Free Form Plastics.
Bourgault President Gerry Bourgault conveyed pride in the rich history of Bourgault Industries, founded by his father. He expressed confidence in Linamar’s ability to elevate the Bourgault brand to new heights.
“We are excited to have our team of over nine hundred people in Saskatchewan and over one thousand worldwide join the Linamar family,” he said. “I am confident Linamar will take the Bourgault brand to new heights in its next chapter while also allowing Bourgault to maintain and build upon its deep-rooted connections to its stakeholders in Saskatchewan and around the world.”
Linda Hasenfratz, Linamar Executive Chair and CEO, expressed excitement about welcoming Bourgault Industries into the Linamar family.
“Bourgault is another Canadian manufacturing success story that draws many similarities to Linamar’s history of entrepreneurism and technical innovation. The Bourgault name is synonymous with broad-acre agricultural seeding innovation and offers a tremendous opportunity for Linamar to further diversify and grow our agriculture platform, as well as our Industrial segment overall.”
Linamar’s President and COO Jim Jarrell noted that Bourgault is the third strategic acquisition of 2023, following two earlier transactions within the Mobility sector.
The move is part of Linamar’s well-defined strategy to grow its business with diversified product offerings, expanding the potential addressable market and creating new pathways for future revenue growth.